Beijing News (Reporter Liu Zhen) The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and distinguished touring history, connecting people all over the world through music, and is one of the most touring symphony orchestras in the United States. In 1973, under the leadership of Eugene Ormandy,

Beijing News (Reporter Liu Zhen) The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and outstanding touring history, connecting people all over the world through music, and is one of the most touring symphony orchestras in the United States. In 1973, under the leadership of Eugene Ormandy, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American orchestra to perform in China. Since this historic visit, the orchestra has returned to China 12 times, most recently in 2019.

In 2024, coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the Philadelphia Orchestra, led by chief guest conductor Marin Alsop, will tour China for the first time since 2019 with its full lineup, and will join hands with the well-known Chinese pipa player Wu Man and the acclaimed Chinese pianist Li Zhuoyu will perform in many cities in Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu and Haikou from October 31st to November 10th. Chengdu and Haikou are also the first visits of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

On October 31, as the first performance of this tour, the fully-equipped Philadelphia Orchestra returned to the National Center for the Performing Arts stage after 2019. Under the leadership of the orchestra’s chief guest conductor Marin Alsop, it once again performed for the Chinese audience Start a musical journey and continue the musical friendship between the two peoples.

On October 31, the complete Philadelphia Orchestra returned to the National Center for the Performing Arts stage after 2019.

When the overture to Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" was played in the concert hall, it seemed to inject vitality into the entire space. Immediately afterwards, Tchaikovsky's fantasy overture "Romeo and Juliet" sounded under the conductor of Marin Alsop, bringing a deep and romantic atmosphere to the audience. The second half of the concert began with the magnificent opening of Dvořák's "Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World"". The musical language of this work is not only full of impassioned enterprising spirit, but also incorporates folk dances from the composer's hometown. The melody, as well as the melancholy and sentimentality caused by missing my hometown. After the official program ended, the audience responded with warm applause and cheers to the wonderful performances of the artists who came from afar. The orchestra then returned to perform Brahms' "Hungarian Dances No. 5", adding to the atmosphere of the scene. Pushed to a new climax.

Before the performance that day, conductor Malin Alsop, who was visiting the National Center for the Performing Arts for the second time, said in an interview, “The profound relationship between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chinese people actually reflects the role of music in promoting mutual respect. and understanding. As the conductor of this tour, I feel very honored to be able to participate in it. The repertoire we performed in China was carefully selected, mainly focusing on the classic repertoire that the orchestra is good at, and I believe these works are also popular with the Chinese audience. Know and love "

performance scene.

On November 1, world-famous pipa player Wu Man will work with the orchestra to present the "Pipa Concerto No. 2" by Chinese composer Zhao Jiping . Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 in D Major "Giant"" will also be performed. ; On November 2, the concert will mainly present the world premiere of "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night" written by Mason Bates based on Tang poetry, as well as other works composed by composers from around the world based on ancient Chinese poetry. After completing its Tianjin performance on November 3, the Philadelphia Orchestra will return to the National Center for the Performing Arts to cooperate with the Global Music Education Alliance on November 4 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the China Conservatory of Music.

It is understood that during the China tour in 2024, band members will participate in various residency activities. In Beijing, the musicians will perform at the National Museum of China and visit the residence of U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns. In Chengdu, members of the orchestra will perform side by side with members of the Chengdu Symphony Orchestra at 8 pm on November 6 at the Chengdu Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall. The small ensemble will also perform at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base and Chengdu Tianfu Art Museum. In addition, the residency activities in Haikou include a pop-up concert at Haikou Yundong Library and a joint performance with the Silk Road Ensemble at Hainan University .

After the tour, a group of musicians will travel to Shanghai, Wuxi and Nanchang to participate in activities, collaborate with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Wuxi Symphony Orchestra and Nanchang Symphony Orchestra, as well as participate in coaching courses at the Shanghai University of Science and Technology, Wuxi and Nanchang local orchestras.

Editor Xu Meilin

Proofreader Zhao Lin